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The Snob Seven: Favorite Feature Film Debuts

Do you remember their first time?

Fresh off the debut of our new home and with the debut of the new feature The Snob Seven, "Favorite Feature Film Debuts" seemed the perfect topic to kick things off. In chronological order, mine are:

The Cocoanuts (1929)

The Four Marx Brothers first brought their comic anarchy to the silver screen in this adaptation of their hit Broadway show. The brothers are set loose upon the Florida land boom in the '20s lookng to make money by hook or by crook. One of the funniest moments is the "Why a Duck?" scene as Groucho tries to enlist Chico in a moneymaking scheme.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is not only the first feature-length film produced by Walt Disney but the first animated feature in motion picture history. The artwork remains impressive today and contributes to the film's great blend of humor, chills, and thrills.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Arguably the most impressive debut by a single person in cinema is Orson Welles' trifecta as actor, director, and co-writer on what is frequently referred to as the greatest film ever. Any one of those endeavors would have been enough for consideration on this list as Welles and his crew brilliantly tell the story of Charles Foster Kane, a character mainly inspired by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Gojira (1954)

Known as Godzilla in English, this monster movie was a serious endeavor that used a giant lizard as a metaphor for nuclear weapons. When the film came to America, scenes with Raymond Burr were added and it was retitled Godzilla, King of the Monsters! The box office success led to more films with the producers changing the focus to monsters fighting each other.

A Hard Day's Night (1964)

The Beatles made their film debut in this mockumentary at the height of their fame. While in London, Ringo wanders off and the other three must find him before their show. Richard Lester's direction was so groundbreaking MTV dubbed him "father of the modern pop video".

Citizen Ruth (1996)

The screenwriting team of Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor told the story of an irresponsible young woman (Laura Dern) caught in the middle of the abortion fight when the court orders her to undergo the procedure. Payne directed the their script, the first of many smart, hilarious comedies they would create.

A Town Called Panic (2009)

Starting as five-minute episodes, this Belguim puppetoon TV series made the leap to movies with ease. Horse and his roommates Indian and Cowboy star in one of the funniest comedies of the century as creators Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar allow their imagination to run wild.